Eligibility
You can enroll within 31 days of becoming benefit-eligible, during Open Enrollment, or within 31 days of a Qualifying Life Event.
How It Works
- Set aside pre-tax money from your paycheck to help cover qualified childcare expenses for your dependent child(ren) under age 13 or for a disabled dependent.
- Qualified expenses include:
- Daycare centers, nursey schools, and preschools
- Before and after school care programs
- Daytime summer camps (overnight camps are not eligible)
- Adult care for a spouse or dependent adult who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care and lives with you
- You must file reimbursement claims for any qualified expenses incurred in 2026 by March 31, 2027 or the money is forfeited.
What to Know
- 2026 maximum annual contribution:
- For non-highly compensated employees, the amount is $7,500, and for married couples filing separately, the amount is $3,750.
- For highly compensated employees (an Institute employee who earned $160,000 or more in 2025 or a new employee hired in 2026 with anticipated salary of $160,000 or more), the amount is $3,500.
- A DCFSA helps reduce your taxable income while paying for eligible care expenses.
- Contributions to these accounts are made with pre-tax dollars, which lower your taxable income and allow you to keep more of your paycheck.
- You can use this account to pay for childcare costs, which helps make these essential expenses more affordable.
FSA Plan Provider: HealthEquity
HealthEquity manages Caltech’s FSA plans. Set up an account to manage your funds for current and future qualified medical expenses and submit receipts for reimbursement.
Website: learn.healthequity.com/caltech
Download the mobile app:


Phone: (866) 346-5800 (24/7)